Private Avenue - neighbours parking

penthouse89

Hi All,

I've recently moved to a private avenue, that is, to say, it has never been adopted by the council and has at some point had gates to prevent casual access.

The street is of around 12 large Georgian townhouses in a terrace without through access, the road is a cul-de-sac. Typicially, the houses have all been converted into flats and there are three or four per house.

Since I've moved in, I've been parking my car in the street, outside my window where I can (I'm ground floor), but I just park wherever a space is available.

I came in from work today and my preferred space was taken, no problem, parked outside of the house next door but one. One of the residents came out and made a fuss over where I'd parked, saying her partner would be home soon and where would he park.

I told her I wasn't going to move my car, and it's still there now. Just wondering, is this any different to a street that's "public" and has unrestricted access? Or do different rules apply to private avenues? I don't know who owns the road, but it doesn't appear to be maintained (at all, judging by some of the car sized craters). Obviously, if I'm in the wrong, I'll just park elsewhere.

Advice appreciated.

Guest101

unless it's allocated parking, I would say your safe to park there.

If you speak to them again, say what you have is a 'civil dispute' and ask them to prove ownership, or rights of use, to that spot.

Private avenues can have different rules, but these should be set out in an obvious manner

penthouse89

Thank you.

There is no allocated parking, there is barely a road, there isn't a footpath, and there aren't any signs to suggest parking is allocated. I guess it's a first come, first serve thing. I did have a chat with one of my upstairs neighbours, and she's always parked wherever there's a space, and has been doing so for the four years she's lived here.

We've agreed we can get both of our cars on our frontage and we'll leave space for each other if we can, but there are two other flats in my building, so I won't be able to guarantee getting parked outside my flat.

I'm not really worried about parking, if I had a car worth caring about, I'd live somewhere with a garage!

CKhalvashi

Unless there are access/ownership rights, they'll have a difficult job proving that you're doing anything wrong.

When we first moved to where we are, I was told by one of the neighbours that bringing a van/band bus (3.5t Sprinter XLWB) home was unsightly, however at that time, I didn't have anywhere but the road to park it (my drive wasn't long enough to not make it dangerous).

The same neighbour is now moaning that we've only got parking for 2 cars, and we own 4 (one is in the garage/workshop, and the other lives on my other neighbours drive), and after lovingly pointing out that there's nothing blocking the road for more than 10 minutes at a time, we've been left alone. I have, however, left my 3 wheeler (the one they find embarrassing) left closest to their drive for the last few weeks

Whilst yours needs to be insured, it doesn't (technically) need to have MoT or road tax on it on a private road. Some people will never be happy, so don't worry too much

CK

Guest101

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Unless there are access/ownership rights, they'll have a difficult job proving that you're doing anything wrong.

When we first moved to where we are, I was told by one of the neighbours that bringing a van/band bus (3.5t Sprinter XLWB) home was unsightly, however at that time, I didn't have anywhere but the road to park it (my drive wasn't long enough to not make it dangerous).

The same neighbour is now moaning that we've only got parking for 2 cars, and we own 4 (one is in the garage/workshop, and the other lives on my other neighbours drive), and after lovingly pointing out that there's nothing blocking the road for more than 10 minutes at a time, we've been left alone. I have, however, left my 3 wheeler (the one they find embarrassing) left closest to their drive for the last few weeks

Whilst yours needs to be insured, it doesn't (technically) need to have MoT or road tax on it on a private road. Some people will never be happy, so don't worry too much

CK

Oooh you've opened a can of worms.

There's no such thing as road tax, it's a vehicle emissions tax.

The private road argument is very troublesome (unless the OP owned the land) in which case you're correct and incorrect. The OP wouldnt need to have insurance either. The CIE only affects crs which are 'on the road' which the OP could declare off the road, and still use on private land.

penthouse89

I thought it was Vehicle Excise Duty?

Different can of worms?

Somewhat academic, car is taxed, tested and insured. I don't think it's an eyesore that you would complain about having outside your house, either.

CKhalvashi

penthouse89 wrote: »

I thought it was Vehicle Excise Duty?

Different can of worms?

Somewhat academic, car is taxed, tested and insured. I don't think it's an eyesore that you would complain about having outside your house, either.

It doesn't need a disc in the front window, that states an expiry date. Can of worms closed.

All of our vehicles are legal and roadworthy, but it still doesn't stop some complaining. The 2 older ones (Lada and 3 wheeler) are more for shows than anything else, especially as the former had a £20k Lotus conversion, but such is life!

CK

penthouse89

[OT on] A Lotus Lada fantastic! [/ot off]

I did bring the works van home last night (6 metre VW LT35), and thought I'd show a bit of consideration by leaving it out on the main road.. Not in the business of upsetting people!

I would like to be able to park my car in the street though, which I shall continue to do.

The partner of the resident who whinged at me has parked next to me - no problem for anyone.